Top local attractions

Tina Lofthouse,
Thursday 28 June 2018

We take a look at great days out for summer on our doorstep

Wimbledon ParkThe leafy, rolling expanse of Wimbledon Park will is located right next to the All England Lawn Tennis Club and is a stone’s throw from charming Wimbledon Village. The park is a stunning rural south London expanse, with one of the largest lakes south of the Thames and often hosts events such as an alfresco cinema events in the summer months.

Wat BuddhapadpiaWorlds away from the town’s enchanting red-bricked Edwardian buildings, this spectacular Buddhist temple adds a taste of the orient to the London suburb with its exotic style and bold colours. The Thai temple is a significant training centre for Buddhists across Europe, but opens its doors to members of any faith keen to look around the temple walls or amble around the peaceful verdant flower gardens.

Hampton Court PalaceThe impressive estate boasts sharply contrasting facades, with a neat Baroque style overlooking the distinctly French gardens, and the famous jumbled exterior of the Tudor period front of house. Spend an afternoon ambling around the vast palace marveling at the ornate chapel, kitchens and bedrooms, or enjoy the gardens and winding palace maze.

Wimbledon Village For a taste of village life, make the journey up Wimbledon Hill Road where you’ll be greeted by the rural community feel of Wimbledon Village. On a balmy summer’s day you can expect to find coffee shops brimming with brunching families, bustling beer gardens, and a host of independent florists, bakers and an organic green- grocers.

Richmond ParkVenture to Richmond Park and you’ll be transported to a bucolic expanse where wild deer roam and the green hills roll. Make the climb up Sawyer’s Hill for a panoramic vista of London’s landmarks on a clear day, including St Paul’s, the eye, and the shard which often catches the light in a dazzling way, or discover the depths of the park and the hidden gem that is Isabella Plantation.

New Wimbledon TheatreA beautifully ornate Edwardian theatre in the heart of the town, Wimbledon’s theatre has a huge audience capacity, holding 1,670 seats across three different levels, and since its opening in 1910 has hosted a wide range of stars across the ages, from famous music hall musicians like Gracie Fields, to composers like Ivor Novello.

Kew Gardens This magical botanical gardens at Kew hosts an impeccable range of diverse flora and fauna from across the world. Initially a Victorian experiment, the grounds evolved to house two established glasshouses. These stunning examples of intricate Victorian architecture showcase hundreds of exotic species of plants, with twisting spiral staircases and lily pad ponds. The gardens feature a treetop walkway where you can muse over London views, the hive – a multi-sensory experience designed to mimic the perspective of bees, and lakes, arboretums and a totem pole.

Wimbledon Windmill Right in the middle of one of Wimbledon Common’s open plains is a beautiful, pristine-white windmill that wouldn’t look out of place on the outskirts of Amsterdam. The structure has stood there since the beginning of the 19th century, and is a significant relic of the once-rural setting. The windmill no longer functions as a mill, but its interior has been transformed into an informative museum. It teaches about the rural lifestyle and the town throughout the ages, and is run by friendly volunteers.

Polka Theatre The artistic centre is one of the few UK theatres solely dedicated to children. The theatre opened in 1979 to inspire local youths into the world of drama, and has since been the home of kids’ theatrical entertainment showcasing a host of educational plays from family-friendly theatre companies. The space is not just home to a theatre, but also a café, playground and garden.

Strawberry Hill HouseThis brilliant piece of neo-Gothic revival architecture possesses all the charm of its fairytale-like name, with towering spires and a castle-like turret in shimmering white. Its existence is owed to the eccentric 18th century art historian Horace Walpole who oversaw its creation to such success that the style is now called ‘Strawberry Hill Gothic’.